profess
v.v. to state something officially or publicly, especially something you believe to be true. You use this when you want to show that you are committed to a specific idea or job.
v. to state or declare something formally or publicly; to claim to possess a particular quality or belief. Often used in formal or academic contexts to indicate a formal declaration of status or intent.
He professes to be a loyal supporter of the team.
The candidate professes to have no interest in the position, though she applied for it last year.
While he professes to be a pacifist, his recent investments in military technology suggest a more complex and pragmatic set of priorities.
From Old French professer, and its source, the participle stem of Latin profitērī, from pro- + fatērī (“to confess, acknowledge”).